Lampshade tree package



Jan. 21, 1964 M. FLASHMAN 3,118,538

LAMPSHADE TREE PACKAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 19, 1962 INVENTOR.

MORRIS L. FLASHMAN 34" 35 I I BY 36 T WW Jan. 21, 1964 L. FLASHMAN LAMPSHADE TREE PACKAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 19, 1962 INVENTOR. MORMS L. FLASHMAN United States Patent 3,118,538 LAMPSHADE TREE PACKAGE Morris L. Flashman, 6815 Loretta Ave., Philadelphia 11, Pa.

Filed Nov. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 233,511 7 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) This invention relates to a package for lamp shades and more particularly concerns a rack or tree for supporting lamp shades in a package thereof.

:I-leretofore it has been conventional to ship and store conical lamp shades in cartons with the lamp shades piled in a nested array. The shades may be wrapped in cellophane. The contact of the shades with each other frequently results in warping and tearing of the shades and their wrappers as the cartons are moved about and while shades are being taken or put on the pile. if a plurality of piles of shades are placed in a single carton the loose piles rub against each other resulting in damage to the shades and their wrappers.

The present invention is directed at overcoming the above mentioned and other dificulties and disadvantages and has as a principal object provision of a rack or tree which supports a pile of lamp shades in a stable, spaced, nested array inside or outside of a carton.

A further object is to provide a rack or tree for lamp shades which will hold a pile of lamp shades secured between top and bottom ends of a carton to prevent movement of the pile in the carton.

Another object is to provide a support for a pile of nested lamp shades, which support can serve as a display rack for the shades.

Still another object is to provide a rack for a pile or stack of lamp shades having frames provided with spider arms, the rack including a rod having a multiplicity of axially spaced holes and shade support wires engaged in the holes and extending outwardly of the rod, opposite ends of the wires being twisted around arms of the spiders.

A further object is to provide a lamp shade package including a rack as described, with an anchor wire engaged in one end of the rod to serve as a hanger or support for a pile or stack of lamp shades.

Another object is to provide a pile or stack of lamp shades mounted on a rack as described in a carton, with an anchor wire at one end of the rod engaged in holes in one end of the carton to stabilize the pile of lamp shades.

Still another object is to provide a plurality of piles or stacks of lamp shades mounted on racks as described in a carton with anchor wires at opposite ends of each rod engaged in holes in opposite ends of the carton to stabilize the piles or stacks of lamp shades in the carton.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

in the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a lamp shade tree or rack embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the rack of FIG. 1, parts being broken away.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of an open carton containing piles of lamp shades supported on racks according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the carton of FIG. 3 in partially closed condition.

RIG. 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken ddl fidd Patented Jan. 21, 1954 through the vertical center of the carton but with the carton fully closed.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another carton in open condition containing a single pile of lamp shades supported on a lamp shade rack according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tool useful in perforating ends of a carton to receive anchor wires.

PEG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the perforating tool of FIG. 7.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. l6 a lamp shade tree or rack 10 including a straight cylindrical rod or tube 12 made of wood, metal, plastic or other suitable rigid material. The rod has a plurality of axially spaced transverse holes 14- extending diametrally therethrough. Preferably each hole is oriented perpendicularly to adjacent holes axially of the rod. A plurality of wires 16 may be removably inserted in the holes so that opposite ends of the wires extend diametral- 1y outward of the rod. Wires in adjacent holes will be coplanar with each other.

In FIG. 1 is shown a plurality of lamp shades 18. Each shade has a conical body 29 with open opposite ends. Each lamp shade has a binding 22 at its upper, narrow open end in which is a frame ring 24. Secured to this ring at circumferentially spaced points are outer ends of three radially extending arms 25 forming part of a spider having a central spider ring 27 joined to inner ends of the arms 25. The rings 27 of the several lamp shades are engaged on the rod 12 which passes through the openings 28 in the rings. The free opposite ends 21 of each of the wires 16 are twisted around two of the arms 25 of each spider whose ring rests on a straight central portion 317, the wire passing through a hole 14. In the uppermost hole 14' of the rod is a wire 16' which has its free ends twisted to form a hook 19. This hook serves as a hanger for carrying the stack of lamp shades and may be hung on a suitable support such as a horizontal pole 3d, shown in dotted lines.

FIGS. 35 show two stacks S1 and S2 of lamp shades 18 inserted into a carton 32. The ends 16* of each upperm-0st wire 16 extend upwardly as shown in FIG. 3 for insertion into holes formed near edges of flaps 36 36 of the carton. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the wire ends 16 extended upwardly at 16* from center portion 15 in hole 14. The wire passes between adjacent free edges 35 of the flaps 36 35 The Wire ends are bent over the tops of the carton at 16 and then inserted through holes 34 so that the free ends 16 extend downwardly. Wires 16 thus serve as anchor wires. The other opposing flaps 38 35* are secured over the tops of flaps 36 36 by adhesive 40, by staples or by other suitable fastening means.

At the bottom end of each rod 12 is provided another anchor wire 16" having its free ends 16 extending downwardly at 16 from center portion 15' in hole 14', then through adjacent edges 42 of bottom flaps 44 44 then horizontally at 16 under the fiaps, then upwardly through holes 34- at 16 Thus the two bent and looped anchor wires 16 and 16 secure opposite ends of each rod 12 to opposite ends of the carton and hold the lamp shade stacks Si and S2 in fixed positions so that they cannot rub against each other when the canton is in transit. The anchor wires can easily be untwisted or cut to release the stacks S1, S2 for easy removal from the carton.

he holes 34 and 34 can be made in the flaps of the carton by means of a tool 5% such as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. This tool has a cylindrical body 52 with a pointed peg 64- at one end. In the other end of the cylindrical body is a recess 56 which receives a handle 58. By use of this tool the flaps of the carton can be quickly perforated where required.

It will be noted in FIG. 5 that the lamp shades 13 in 3; carton 32 are nested in each other in each stack and are supported on the center portions 17 of each wire 16. The free ends 21 of the wires 16 are twisted around the arms 25 of the spiders. The spider rings 27 rest on the center portions 17 of wires in. This arrangement prevents the several lamp shades from shifting laterally on rod 12, so that the lamp shades are supported safely and securely in the carton.

FIG. 6 shows a single stack S1 of lamp shades 18 in carton 32 The free ends 1:5 of uppermost anchor wire 16 will engage in holes 3 formed near edges 35 of opposing flaps 36 of the carton. fter the ends of wire 16 are bent and secured in holes 34" in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 5, the other opposing flaps 3S and 38" Will be folded over flaps 35' to conceaiand protect the anchor wire. The bottom anchor wire 16" may be omitted when a single stack of lamp shades is packed in a carton. When two or more stacks of lamp shades are packed in a carton then the upper and lower anchor wires 16, 15" should be used. Thus, during shipment and handling the lamp shades will not be tossed around inside the carton and will remain intact and protected.

After the cartons are opened, the wire 16 can be grasped and an entire stack of lamp shades can be removed at one time from the carton. This removed stack can then serve to support the lamp shades in a display for merchandising in a store, as shown in FIG. 1.

One lamp shade 18 at a time can be removed from th rack 10. To remove each lamp shade the wire 16 just above its spider ring 27 must be removed. Then wire ends 16 are untwisted from arms 25. For mounting the lamp shades on the rod 12, a reverse operation is performed. A new wire 16 is inserted in a hole 14- after each lamp shade is placed on rod 32. After the spider ring 27 or" each shade is engaged on rod 12 and placed over a wire 16 with the rod 12 passing through the hole 28 in the ring, wire ends 21 are twisted on spider arms 25. Then another wire is inserted through the next hole 14 for supporting the next higher lamp shade.

The several parts of the rack iii are inexpensive and may be discarded after use. The racks can be merchandised as kits including one or more rods 12, several Wires 16, 16' and i6", and tool 59.

The racks described fulfill a long felt need by lamp shade manufacturers, shippers, and merchandisers, for packing, shipment, storage and display or" piles of lamp shades, safely and efiiciently and by inexpensive, expendable means.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as deli ed in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A rack for supporting a plurality of nested lamp shades in a vertical stack, each lamp shade having a central spider ring, spider arms and conical body, comprising an axially vertical ro'd, said rod having a plurality of holes extending transversely therethrough, said holes being spaced from each other along the rod, a plurality of wires extending through certain ones of he holes for supporting the lamp shades respectively in axially aligned, vertically spaced, nested array, while the rod passes through the spider rings the spider rings rest on the wires, and the wires are twisted around the spider arms.

2. A package of lamp shades, comprising in combination a carton having spaced parallel top and bottom ends, a plurality of spaced, parallel rods vertically disposed in the carton perpendicular to the top and bottom ends thereof, each rod having a plurality of transverse holes, said holes being spaced apart axially of the rod, a plural, of wires extending through some of the holes in the rods and having end portions extending outwardly of the rods, a plurality of lamp shades in the carton, said lamp shades having conical bodies with centrally located spider rings joined by radial spider arms to said bodies, each spider ring being engaged on one of the rods while the ring rests on one of the wires, and ends of the Wires are twisted around the spider arms, whereby the lamp shades are supported in axially vertical nested stacks with the bodies of the lamp shades spaced apart from each other.

3. A package of lamp shades, comprising in combination a carton having spaced parallel top and bottom ends, a plurality of spaced, parallel rods vertically disposed in the carton perpendicular to the top and bottom ends thereof, each rod having a plurality of transverse holes, haid holes being spaced apart axially of the rod, a plurality of short wires extending through some of the holes in the rods and having end portions extending outwardly of the rods, a plurality of lamp shades in the carton, said lamp shades having conical bodies with centrally located spider rings joined by radial spider arms to said bodies, each spider ring being engaged on one of the rods while the ring rests on one of the wires, and ends of the wires are twisted around the spider arms, whereby the lamp shades are supported in axially vertical nested stacks with the bodies or" the lamp shades spaced apart, and another wire extending through the uppermost hole in each rod and extending through at least part of the top end of the carton and anchored thereat so that the rods are held axially vertical in the carton.

4. A package of lamp shades, comprising in combination a carton having spaced parallel top and bottom ends With overlapping flaps, a plurality of spaced, parallel rods vertically disposed in the carton perpendicular to the top and bottom ends thereof, each rod having a plurality of transverse holes, holes being spaced apart axially of the rod, a plurality of short wires extending through some of the holes in the rods and having end portions extending outwardly of the rods, a plurality of lamp shades in the carton, said lamp shades having conical bodies with centrally located spider rings joined by radial spider arms to said bodies, each spider ring being engaged on one of the rods while the ring rests on one of the Wires, and ends or" the wires are twisted around the spider arms, whereby the lamp shades are supported in axially vertical nested stacks with the bodies of the lamp shades spaced apart, and other Wires extending through the uppermost hole and lowermost hole in each rod and extending through certain flaps in the top end and bottom end respectively of the carton and anchored thereat, so that the stacks of lamp shades are supported fixed distances apart inside the carton.

5. A package of lamp shades comprising in combination, a carton having spaced parallel top and bottom ends With overlapping fiaps, a rod vertically disposed in the carton perpendicular to the top and bottom ends thereof, said rod having a plurality of transverse holes, said holes being spaced apart axially of the rod, a plurality of wires extending through some of the holes in the rod and having end portions extending outwardly of the rod, another wire at the uppermost one of the holes extending through holes in certain flaps at the top end of the carton and anchored thereat, and a plurality of lamp shades in the carton, said lamp shades having conical bodies with cen-.

trally located spider rings joined to said bodies by radial slider arms, each spider ring being engaged on the rod while the ring rests on one of the ii st-named wires whose free ends are twisted around the spider arms of one lamp shade, whereby the lamp shades are supported in axially aligned vertically spaced positions in the carton.

6. A package of lamp shades, comprising a vertical rod, said rod having a plurality of transverse holes, said holes being spaced apart axially of the rod, a plurality of wires extending through certain holes in the rod having end portions ext nding outwardly of the rod, a plurality of lamp shades, said lamp shades having conical bodies with 5 centrally located spider rings joined to said bodies by radial spider arms, each spider ring being engaged on the rod While the ring rests on one of the wires, and the ends of the Wires are twisted on the arms, whereby the lamp shades are supported in a vertical stack in axially aligned, vertically spaced, nested positions.

7. A package of lamp shades, comprising a vertical rod, said rod having a plurality of transverse holes, said holes being spaced apart axially of the rod, a plurality of Wires extending through certain holes in the rod and having end portions extending outwardly of the rod, a plurality of lamp shades, said lamp shades having conical bodies with centrally located spider rings ioined to said bodies by radial spider arms, each spider ring being engaged on the rod While the ring rests on one of the wires, and the ends of the wires are twisted on the arms, whereby the lamp shades are supported in a vertical stack in axially aligned, vertically spaced, nested positions, and another Wire extending through the uppermost one of said holes and having free ends bent to form a hook for hanging the stack on a support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 816,473 Johnson Mar. 27, 1906 824,867 Houghton July 3, 1906 1,693,199 Fair Nov. 27, 1928 1,934,566 Soloman Nov. 7, 1933 2,181,198 Moskowitz Nov. 2 8, 1939 2,757,457 Ziegels-ki Aug. 7, 1956 2,812,058 Pink Nov. 5, 1957 3,085,691 Smith Apr. 16, 1963 

1. A RACK FOR SUPPORTING A PLURALITY OF NESTED LAMP SHADES IN A VERTICAL STACK, EACH LAMP SHADE HAVING A CENTRAL SPIDER RING, SPIDER ARMS AND CONICAL BODY, COMPRISING AN AXIALLY VERTICAL ROD, SAID ROD HAVING A PLURALITY OF HOLES EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THERETHROUGH, SAID HOLES BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER ALONG THE ROD, A PLURALITY OF WIRES EXTENDING THROUGH CERTAIN ONES OF THE HOLES FOR SUPPORTING THE LAMP SHADES RESPECTIVELY IN AXIALLY ALIGNED, VERTICALLY SPACED, NESTED ARRAY, WHILE THE ROD PASSES THROUGH THE 